Scheduled MonumentsWalesPen Bwlych Glascwm Pillow Mounds
Medieval · Pillow Mound

Pen Bwlych Glascwm Pillow Mounds

Breconshire, Wales
Cadw SAM BR252
Period
Medieval
Site type
Pillow Mound
Broad class
Agriculture and Subsistence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Pen Bwlych Glascwm is a pillow mound located in Breconshire, Wales, representing a form of medieval land management and agricultural enhancement. The monument consists of raised, elongated earthworks characteristic of pillow mounds, which were constructed to improve drainage and create more favourable conditions for cultivation or pasture on marginal land. Dating to the medieval period, such features reflect the intensification of agriculture and the expansion of productive land use across upland Wales. The site is recorded as Scheduled Ancient Monument BR252 by Cadw, recognising its archaeological significance as evidence of medieval settlement patterns and subsistence strategies in the region.

Pen Bwlych Glascwm Pillow Mounds is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference BR252. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Pen Bwlych Glascwm Pillow Mounds?

Pen Bwlych Glascwm is a pillow mound located in Breconshire, Wales, representing a form of medieval land management and agricultural enhancement. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference BR252.

What period does Pen Bwlych Glascwm Pillow Mounds date from?

Pen Bwlych Glascwm Pillow Mounds dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a pillow mound. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Pen Bwlych Glascwm Pillow Mounds?

Pen Bwlych Glascwm Pillow Mounds is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is BR252.

What other scheduled monuments are near Pen Bwlych Glascwm Pillow Mounds?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Rhymney Upper Furnace (7.4 km), Morlais Hill ring cairn (7.8 km), Morlais Castle (8 km).

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